Air conditioning apparatus



Patented Mar. 14, 1944 AIR CONDITIONING APPARATUS William M. Marker and Roy L. Brown, Los

Angeles, Calif., assignors to Trade-Wind Motorfans, Inc., Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California Application September 3, 1941, Serial No. 409,382

3 Claims.

This invention relates to air conditioning apparatus and relates more particularly to apparatus for cleaning, humidifying and cooling air. A general object of this invention is to provide a practical, highly efficient apparatus of this character that is inexpensive to manufacture and silent in operation,

Another object of this invention is to provide an air conditioning apparatus of the type in which air is made to pass through a cooling and filtering pack which is characterized by a novel, highly efiicient means for supplying water to the pack to maintain the same in the required wet or moist condition.

Another object of this invention is to provide an air conditioning apparatus of the character referred to in which the means for supplying water to the air porous pack assures the substantially uniform distribution of the water throughout the entire area of the pack.

Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus of the character referred to embodying very effective means for creating andmaintaining a water spray or mist in the air stream in front of the air porous cooling and filtering pack, the spray or mist being carried into the pack to maintain the same in the Wet condition for the efiicient air conditioning action.

Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus of the character mentioned in which the means for producing the water spray or mist breaks the water into fine particles or droplets and directs the same laterally in all directions to create a substantially uniform zone of mist extending transversely of the air stream, the mist or droplets being picked up by the air stream and distributed throughout the face of the pack.

Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus of the character mentioned embodying inexpensive and very efilcient means for elevating the water from the water sump to the rotating element of the spray or mist producing means. The waterelevating means of the invention is extremely simple and inexpensive and eliminates the necessity for pumps, pipes, and the like, and is driven by the power means of the sprayer or mist forming means.

Another object of this invention is to provide a spray Or mist creating means of the character referred to in which a simple rotating element receives the water from the elevating means and throws it laterally into the air stream in a thin film or layer so that the water is carried to the pack in the form of a fine spray to thoroughly and effectively maintain the entire pack in a moist effective condition.

Another and important object of this invention is to provide a water spraying or mistifying means that is practically noiseless. The water elevating and the water spraying means of the invention are formed almost entirely of rubber, or the like, and do not vibrate or produce undesirable sound or noise. Further, the rubber water elevating and mistifying lements of the invention are not rusted or corroded by the water. The various objects and features of our invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical preferred form and application of the invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. l is a central longitudinal detailed sectional view of a typical apparatus of the invention showing the blower and the mist forming means in side elevation. Fig. 2 is an enlarged face view or elevation of the spray or mist forming unit and Fig. 3 is a vertical detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 3--3 on Fig. 2.

The features of the present invention may be embodied in gas scrubbing and washing devices of various kinds and in air conditioning apparatus varying considerably in character and construction. In the following detailed disclosure we will describe the typical embodiment illustrated in the drawing, it being understood that the invention is not to be construed as limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth.

The apparatus of the present invention may be said to comprise, generally, a housing or casing l0 defining an air passage P and having a water reservoir or sump S, means II for producing air movement through the casing l8, an air pervious pack [2 in the passage P, and a unit for maintaining the pack l2 in a wet state comprising a centrifugal sprayer means l3 and water elevating means l4.

The housing or casing It may be of any required size, shape and construction. In the embodiment illustrated the casing in is an elongate hollow or tubular structure open at its ends to have an air inlet 15 and an air outlet It. The lower portion of the casing I0 is imperforateand formed to constitute the reservoir or sump S for the water to be employed in the apparatus. Water may be supplied to the sump S by any suitable means to maintain the required water level therein. The sump S may or may not extend throughout the length of the casing l8 and is such that it receives the return water or excess water running from the pack I2 and walls of the casing E3. It is usually preferred to provide screens ll across the inlet' I 5 and outlet 85 of the casing [0.

The means II for producing air movement through the casing Ill may be varied greatly without departing from the invention. In the-typical case illustrated the means ll comprises a fan l3 arranged in the casing Ill adjacent its outlet l6 and operable to draw air inwardly through the inlet l5 and passage P for discharge through the outlet Is as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 1. The blade type blower or fan ISisoperated by a suitable electric motor I9 supported on a shelf or bracket in the casing 10'.

The pack I2 is arranged across the air passage P to be in the path of the moving air. The pervious or air porous pack 12 presents a multitude of small surfaces for carrying water films which are exposed to the moving air to produce the cooling and humidifying effect through the evaporation of the air and to operate as a cleaner or filter for the moving air. In practice, the pack IZ preferably extends completely across the passage P and its lower portion may extend into the sumpS. The pack l2comprises abody or bodies of filtering material 2| such as excelsior, glass wool, metal wool; orthe like. This filtering material' 2 1 is contained in -a cage or cell 22 of screening or the like which, in turn, has a suitable frame 23' fitted or secured-in the casing I0. It'is usually preferred to arrange and secure the pack l2 in such a manner that it maybe removed for replacement or reconditioning and to locate the pack so that it maybe flushed or washed from time to time. The filter pack I2 is postioned'betweenthe opposite ends of the easing l0 and-with theparts 'in the relation illustrated the pack l2 is somewhat closer to the inlet l5 thanit'isto the outlet Id.

The water spraying or mistifying means l3 and theelevatingmeans M are-incorporated in one structure or unitwhich embodies important features of the invention. Thisunit is arranged in front of the filter pack I2, relative to the direction of air movement, and ispreferably spaced between the 'pack l2 and theinlet l5 of the casing Ill. Theunit just referred to includesa support or body 24 for carrying'the various elements of themeans l3 and M. It. is preferred to.construct the support or body 24. of rubber, rubber composition, synthetic rubber, or the like. The body 24 formed of material of this nature is unafiected by-the water handled in the'apparatus, will'not vibrateandserves to absorb sound and vibration. The body 24 is an upright structure reenforced' by vertical ribs 25 on its side which faces the inlet l5. If desired or necessary the ribs maybe 'internallyreenforced to give the body 24- greater rigidity. The lower end portion of the body 24 is suitably fixed or secured in a mounting bracket or channel 26 in the lower end ofthecasing ID. As illustrated in Fig. 1 and as indicated in Fig. 2, where the line L-L indicates the water line, the lower part of the body 24 is immersed in the water of the sumpS.

The sprayer meansormistifyingmeans I3 is of the centrifuga'ltypeand. operates to throw off or spray out, a thin layer or film of fine water particles. This film or layer initiates in a plane normal to the longitudinal axisof the passage P and .the fine waterparticles thrown tangentially by the means l3. are pickedup by the, inwardly moving air and are carried to the pack l2. The main or upper portion of the yielding vibration deadening body 24 is substantially disc shaped and the sprayer means i3 is carried by this part 21. The means l3 includes a shaft 28 extending freely through a central horizontal opening 29 in the body part 21. The shaft 28 is preferably the shaft of a suitable electric motor 30 positioned at the side of the body 24 which faces the air inlet I5. The motor 30 is bolted or otherwise fixed to a plate 3| which, in turn, is secured to the above mentioned ribs 25 by pins or screws 32. The motor 30 is supplied with current by suitable insulated leads, not shown, extending into the-casing ID.

The principal element of the spraying or mistifying means I3 is a disc 33 fixed to the shaft 28. The disc. 33 is provided with hubs 34 which engage about the shaft 28. A pin or cotter key 33, passed through openings in a hub 34 and the shaft, may fixor'secure the disc 33 to the shaft 28; .The disc 33is arranged at that side of the body 24whichfaces the pack I2 and: is spaced from-the facev of the body by its inner hub 34. Aswillibe seen from an inspection. of Fig. 2 the disc 33iis coaxial with the disc-like upper body part 21.

Thejshape cfthe rotating element or disc 33 andthe character of the materlalof which it is formedlare important. Thedisc 33 is preferably, thoughznot necessarily, truly disc shaped'in side elevation and its periphery is preferably plain, smooth fandregular. The opposite faces or side of the disc 33 converge toward'its periphery, the disc being quite thick at its hubs 3'4 and being quite thin at its periphery; As illustrated in Figs. Zand 3ofthedraWing, the spraying element or disc 33 is considerably smaller in diameter than the disc shaped upper portion 21 of the body 26. In accordance with the invention the disc 33 is formed of rubber, rubber composition, synthetic rubber, or similar material having a considerable .degree of flexibility and resiliency. The hubs which are integral parts of the rubber disc 33' closely fit the shaft 28 and the one piece yielding disc cannot vibrate, rattle or produce unwanted sound even when rotated at high speeds. Eventhough the disc 33 be slightly out of line, misformed, distorted or injured, it assumesa truly disc shape when rotated at high speed by'themotor 30. This is particularly true of the thin peripheral portion of the disc 33 which is automatically trued'by the centrifugal action. The rubber disc having extensive hubs engaged about the shaft 28 serves to deaden and absorb vibration of the motor shaft 28.

The liquid or water is delivered to the rotating disc -33 bythe means It to be later described and this water travels across the face of the disc 33 under "the action of centrifugal force and is discharged from the periphery or edge of the disc in the form of small drops or particles travelling ata high speed. The water is discharged radially and tangentially and forms a layer or curtain of water. sprayacross the air passage P. The water is flung from the disc 33 with substantial force and some of the larger water particles or drops may impinge against the walls of the casine l to be. further broken up by the impact so that they are carriedawayby the. air stream. In mosteases itis preferredto .formand proportion the rubber mounting body v24 so that the rotating disc 33is adjacent but above the water level of the sump S. This leaves the majorportionof the passage P clear and provides for a better distribution of the spray or water mist by the means I 3.

The water leaving the lower edges of the rotating disc 33 may produce a slight hissing sound when it strikes the adjacent surface of the water in the sump S. This may be readily eliminated by placing a screen 36 of wire netting in the path of the water spray which strikes the standin water in the sump S. Thus,in the drawing, we have shown a substantially horizontal screen 36 secured to the face of the body 24 by screw 31 to extend horizontally below the lower edge of the disc 33. The water leaving the lower edge of the rotating disc 33 is broken up into very small particles or mist upon striking thescreen 36. The mist is carried to the pack I2 by the air flow and the mist is incapable of producing sound through contact with the water in the sump S. The screen 36 has an upwardly extending extension or apron 36 the function of which will be later described.

In many applications of the invention the means l3 operating as above described is fully operative and entirely successful. In other cases, it may be preferred or necessary to produce a finer spray or to localize the spray. If this is the case a diffusing screen or mistifyin-g screen 38 is provided to further break up the water particles or drop-s leaving the disc 33. The screen 38 may be woven wire screening or the like shaped to conform to the interior of an axial flange 39 at the periphery of the body portion 21. The screening 38 conforms to the partially annular flange 39 and extends axially from the body part 2'! toward the pack l2 to surround the disc 33. Thus, as illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawing, the screen 38 may extend inwardly beyond the disc 33. The lower ends of the screen 38 ma occur adjacent the above described screen 31. The screen 38 may be secured in place by clips 40 engaged over the edge of the body part 21. The screen 38 placed in the path of the water thrown from the disc 33 breaks the water spray into very fine particles or a mist. This mist is picked up by the air flowing through the passage P and is carried to the pack I 2. The screen 38 localizes or reduces the extent of the fog or mist spray. Where a screen 38 of small mesh is employed a very fine fog or mist is created and where a coarser screen is used the mist is heavier.

The means l4 for conveying or elevating the water from the sump S to the sprayer disc 33 is intimately associated with the spraying or mistifying means. The means l4 includes a wheel or pulley 42 rotatably supported on the body 24 to be immersed or partially immersed in the water of the sump S. The pulley 42 is mounted to rotate about a substantially horizontal axis and is positioned below the sprayer disc 33; As best-illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawing, the wheel 42 is oifset horizontally from the plane of the disc 33 to lie in the plane of the inner hub 34 and to be adjacent the face of the body 24. The wheel or pulley 42 is freely rotatable on a trunnion or stub shaft 43 fixed in an opening 44 in the lower portion of the body 24. A nut or retainer 45 of rubber, or the like, is provided on the end of the shaft 43 to prevent displacement of the pulley 42. In accordance with the invention the pulley 42 is formed of the same material or of the same class of material as the body 24 and the disc 33, that is, it is formed of rubber, rubber composition, synthetic rubber, or other yielding flexible and resilient material.

In the preferred construction the Wheel or pulley 42 is housed or located in a pocket 46 in the lower portion of the body 24. The face of the pocket 46 is open to the sump S and, as illustrated in Fig. 2, the pocket has a cylindrically curved wall concentric with and spaced from the periphery of the pulley 42. A flange or rib 41 is provided on the face of the body 24 to define a continuation or upward extension of the pocket 46. The rib 41 extends upwardly from one side of the pocket 46, curves over the shaft 28 and disc hub 34 in spaced concentric relation thereto and then extends downwardly to the other side of the pocket. The pocket 46 is formed in a thickened portion of the body and the rib 47 may be of such thickness that its face is flush with this thickened part. The rib 41 may be an integral part of the rubber or rubber-lik body 24. The inner surface or wall 48 of the rib 41 forms an uninterrupted continuation of the wall of the pocket 46 and the pocket wall and rib wall 48 define a recess or cavity having a partially cylindrical lower portion in which the pulley 42 is disposed and having an upwardly diminishing extension whose upper portion receives the inner hub 34 of the disc 33. a

The means i4 further includes a driving and water conveying belt 49 operating over or between the pulley 42 and the inner hub 34 of the disc 33. In the embodiment illustrated the belt 49 is in the form of an endless coiled or helical spring formed of flexible rust-resistant wire of the selected gauge. The peripheries of the wheel 42 and the inner hub 34 have grooves 50 proportioned and designed to receive the belt. The belt 49 is under suitable tension to remain operative without danger of displacement from the hub 34 or pulley 42 and the tension is such that the convolutions of the coiled belt are spaced one from the other. It is to be understood that other forms of belts may be employed, for example, a rubber belt or a chain belt may be used if desired. The pulley 42 is considerably larger in diameter than the disc hub 34 so that the belt has upwardly converging portions running within and in spaced relation to the convergent portions of the wall 48. That part of the wall 48 which is concentric with the hub 34 is spaced a greater distance from the belt 49 than the other parts of the wall. The open coiled belt 49 operating over the pulley 42, which is partially immersed in water, picks up water from the sump S and carries it upwardly to the rear or inner side of the disc 33. Thebelt 49 travels at a substantial rate and maintains a continuous stream or flow of water from the sump S to the inner hub 34 of the disc 33. The belt 49, where-tubular, as illustrated, is preferably of small diameter to have an effective capillary tube action. A substantial volume of fluid travels up within the interior of the upwardly moving part of the belt49 and leaves the belt at the pulley or hub 34 for delivery to the disc 33 as will be more fully described below. Further centrifugal force tends to throw some water outwardly from the belt 48 and thewater that is thrown from the belt strikes the wall 48 and flows upwardly along the wall. The above mentioned apron 36 prevents the wheel or disc 33 from striking or interfering with the belt 49.

The invention provides means for diverting or directing the water from the belt 49 and from the rib wall 48 to the disc 33. One or more diversion projections or stops 51 are provided on the wall 48 of the rib 41. The stops 5| are provided on that portion of the wall 48 which curves over the inner hub 34 of the disc 33. In the drawing I have shown two stops 5! equally spaced from the central vertical plane of the shaft 28. Only one stop 5| is required beyond the vertical center of the hub 34 in the direction of travel of the belt 49. The stops 5| extend radially inward toward the hub 34 and their ends are adjacent the belt 49. As the belt 49 travels through the water in the sump S it picks up water, that is, its interior becomes filled with water. The rapidly travelling belt 49 carries the water thus received upwardly to the hub 34. In practice, the interior of the upwardly travelling side of the belt 49 is filled or substantially filled with an upwardly moving column of water. In this connection, it may be observed'that there is lessened centrifugal force at the large diametered pulley 42 and, therefore, little tendency for the water to be thrown from the belt as it leaves the large pulley. The belt 49 is of relatively small diameter and acts as a travelling capillary tube lifting the water from the sump S to the small pulley or hub 34. As the belt 49 travels over the small diametered pulley or hub 34 it opens, that is, its convolutions separate and the water passes out through the opened belt. The upwardly travelling water tends to continue on its upward course and as the belt changes its direction in passing over the hub 34, the inertia of the water carries the water out through the opened belt to the wall 48. Thus, a continuous stream of water leaves the belt 49 at the pulley or hub 34 and this stream of water is diverted forwardly against the face of the disc 33 by the leading lug or stop 5|. The stop 5| diverts the water stream forwardly against the face of the disc 33 and centrifugal force carries the water out across the face of the disc. It will be observed that the difference in diameter of the pulley 42 and hub 34 gives the water-carrying part of the belt 49 an inclination or slope which facilitates the upward conveyance of the water stream. Where a chain belt or rubber conveyor belt is employed the action is substantially the same except that separate charges or bodies of water are carried from the sump S and discharged against the leading stop 5|. In practice, there is a continuous how of water from the sump S to the inner or rear side of the disc 33 and this water is thrown outwardly or sprayed out by the rotating disc 33 in the manner above described.

It is believed that the operation of the apparatus of this invention will be readily understood from the foregoing detailed description. With the apparatus in operation the fan or blower I3 is operating and the motor 39 is driving the disc 33. The belt 49 drives or operates the pulley 42 and travel through the water in the sump S to elevate the water to the operating means. The conveying belt 49 operates in the manner described above to continuously deliver a stream of water to the inner side of the disc 33. Centrifugal force causes this water to run out on the rear face of the disc 33 and to be flung from th periphery of the disc with considerable force. The water as discharged from the disc 33 is in the form of small particles or droplets and the air flowing through the passage P carries the water to the pack 12. The larger water particles may impinge against the walls of the casing III to be broken into a spray or mist which is readily carried to the marginal portions of the pack l2. Where the screen 38 is employed the water discharging from the disc 33 is broken up into a very fine mist or vapor. The moving air carries this mist or vapor to the pack 12. In either case, the pack 12 is maintained in a thoroughly wet condition to be most effective in humidifying, cooling and washing the air.

It will be appreciated that where the body 24, sprayer disc 33 and pulley 42 are formed of rubber, or the like, that the spraying means and water elevating means operate with a minimum of sound and vibration. The rubber body 24 is effective in dampening and absorbing any vibration that may accompany operation of the motor 39 and other parts. It is to be observed that the mechanism requires no pumps or pipes for delivering water to the spraying means [3. The spraying means and water elevating means are embodied in a single compact unit and may be separate and remote from the pack [2 so that it does not interfere with removal, reconditioning or washing of the pack.

Havin described only a typical form of our invention, we do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to ourselves any variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art or fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described our invention, we claim:

1. In apparatus ofthe character described, a liquid receptacle, a supporting body having a lower part in the receptacle and having a recess in one side extending upwardly from the receptacle, a sprayer disc rotatably supported by the body above the receptacle, a pulley rotatably supported in the recess to have at least a portion immersed in the liquid of the receptacle, and a belt running in the recess and operating between the disc and pulley for elevating the liquid to the disc.

2. In apparatus of the character described, a liquid receptacle, a supporting body having a lower part in the receptacle and having a recess in one side extending upwardly from the receptacle, a sprayer disc rotatably supported by the body above the receptacle, a pulley rotatably supported in the recess to have at least a portion immersed in the liquid of the receptacle, a belt running in the recess and operating between the disc and pulley for elevating liquid to th disc the wall of the recess being spaced from the belt and following the path of the belt, and a projection on the wall of the recess for diverting liquid from the belt to the disc.

3. In apparatus of the character described, a liquid receptacle, a supporting body having a lower part in the receptacle and having a recess in one side extending upwardly from the receptacle, a sprayer disc rotatabl supported by the body above the receptacle, a hub on the disc within the recess, a pulley rotatably supported by the body to operate in the recess and receptacle, and a belt operating over the hub and pulley for elevating liquid to the hub and disc the wall of the recess being spaced from the belt and following the path of the belt.

WILLIAM M. MARKER. ROY L. BROWN. 

